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CHARACE^. 



of evolution, the filaments being composed of cells, con- 

 taining nuclei, in the stage just preceeding the ternary or qua- 

 ternary division of Phanerogams. The only unusual thing is 

 their disposition, unless indeed each filament is formed in a 

 separate cavity. 



The anthers of Musci on the contrary, represents a much 

 less advanced stage of Phaenogams, viz. that in which the cells 

 contain a grumous mass, antecedent to the cellularity of this. 



Few things will be more interesting than the full exami- 

 nation of Chara in the youngest states of developement of 

 each organ. 



Nitric acid shews that the female when half developed, 

 consists of a certain number of spiral green tubes disposed 

 round a central bag, containing granular matters. Beyond 

 this bag the spirality ceases, but each tube is surmounted 

 by a short cell, like the spiral cells, organised exactly as the 

 cells or tubes of the axis. 



That is, an outer coriaceous or tougher tube, colourless, of 

 simple membrane, and an inner membranous much finer one, 

 the inner surface of which is studded with green globules, and 

 in which the circulation takes place. 



At an earlier period, these tubes are quite straight, and the 

 amylum-bearing central bag, projects a little beyond the 

 bases of the terminal cells. And between these is a short 

 colourless tube, the continuation of the amyliferous one. 

 Many of the smaller granules have the appearance of a Di- 

 cotyledenous embryo. 



The male organ in its middle state, consists of an outer hy- 

 aline thick covering, the cells of which have a fasciculate 

 arrangement, each fasciculus representing a star or radiate 

 body. These appear to have some connection with the fila- 

 mentiferous tubes. Then there is a globular sac, on which 

 granules of red are disposed. Into this so formed globe, the 

 short stalk passes to some distance, it has the same organisa- 

 tion as the other tubular parts. It gives origin to another tube, 

 (or perhaps to more than one), from the apex of which the 



